Saturday Huge for Gordon's Chase Success

Last week at Texas Motor Speedway, we heard plenty about how Jeff Gordon didn't have a good-handling car in the Saturday practice sessions leading up to the Dickie's 500.

And if Jeff Gordon wants any chance at re-capturing that Nextel Cup point lead and his fifth series championship, the No. 24 team is indeed going to have to make amends on how well they get the car dialed in.

"We're doing a great job on Friday qualifying and we need to do that again here today and next week in Homestead. But Saturday getting prepared for the race, we got to do a little bit better job," said Gordon Friday before qualifying at Phoenix.

Starting positions haven't been a problem for Gordon in the past few weeks. Gordon started second at Texas last week and at Atlanta two weeks back, he rolled off eighth. He starts third Sunday at Phoenix.

In each race, Gordon has finished seventh after battling a race car that often wanted to find contact with the SAFER barrier instead of with victory lane. Unfortunately for Gordon fans, the strong effort to salvage a decent finish has been significantly trumped by two-straight wins by teammate and Chase contender Jimmie Johnson.

It's definitely not lost on Gordon that the Saturday program needs to improve immediately at Phoenix and next week at Homestead if the No. 24 team wants any shot at Jimmie Johnson.

"We've got to step it up. There's no hiding that and I hope we can pull that off right here in Phoenix," said Gordon.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-11-2007 @ 8:37AM

sloelover7 said...

2 races left and thats when the cream rises 2 the top..i think jeff will good day and end up back in the chase lead....hendricks teams are so strong all across the board its not a suprise that the 24 and the 48 between them 1 will be champion...Me..i
m banking on Jeff Gordon...

11-11-2007 @ 8:44AM

rob said...

Note: I am a huge Dale Jr fan, and like nothing more than when something bad befalls Gordon, but even I recognize when a robbery is taking place. Nothing against Johnson, in fact, I'm a fan, but Gordon is now running away with his sixth championship. The only obstacle in his path is Brian France. The only excuse for that would be that Mr. France has made his choices through some sort psychologically addled state. I don't know why he would be doing that, but I've heard that it could come from being an alcoholic, if he were one.

11-11-2007 @ 11:05AM

ROYCE said...

im confused.why did they change the point system anyway?everyone knows that if they had left it the way it was gordon would be looking at his 6th championship.or maybe thats it.the "higher ups"dont want to see pettys and earnhardts records broken anytime soon

11-12-2007 @ 8:15AM

Sandie said...

I agree with comments by #2 and #3. It is disappointing.

11-12-2007 @ 9:02AM

peggy said...

I also agree with comment #3. It just seems a little fishy how Johnson can always be there at the end.Maybe Knaus is saving the best tires for last, then during the burnout all evidence of cheating is burned off.I will be pulling for jeff at Homestead. Hopefully Johnson will blow a motor

11-12-2007 @ 11:18AM

Patrick in LA said...

all i know is under the old points sytem that Dale and Richard won thier 7 titles, Jeff would have his 6th right now! The new system penalizes the lead driver after 26 races and lets everyone else catch up without actually having to perform! Much like Affirmative Action laws that award mediocrity! Jeff has to know in his heart that he is on par with those other 2 drivers who have 7 titles. NASCAR just went and changed the rules to satisfy the fans with no regards to the integrity of the sport and the driver!

11-12-2007 @ 10:25PM

aubieferg said...

I think that the chase sucks and I am not going to watch a race as long as there is a football game or baseball game on TV. If sonmeone in 13 place would win 4 races in a row instead of Johnson he would still be stuck in 13th place. The regular season consistancy of Jeff Gordan means absolutly nothing today. He had a lead that probably would have been good enough to win the champoinship. Wolud Dale Earnhart or Richard Petty have won seven if this idiotic system had been in place back when.
Again screw NASCAR as Ican watch 10 baseball game for the cost of one ticket to a NASCAR race

11-13-2007 @ 10:40PM

Everyone seems to be in agreement that the new "Chase" format sucks big time. I will still attend Homestead but next year my season tickets will be sold!! I am going to watch football too!!!! The France Family wonders why ratings are down on television and the tracks no longer sell out.